Penelope Marzec #2–Author Interview

Dear Friends, I’m honored to have Penelope Marzec on my blog today! Penelope is one of the most talented people that I know. She writes, paints, sings, and takes beautiful photographs! Not only is she talented, she’s also incredibly kind. I consider her a wonderful prayer partner and a lovely friend! Penelope is a beautiful person, and I’m so glad that I know her! And guess what??? I have exciting news! Penelope’s latest book, Hoping for Joy, was just published a few days ago!

Danele: Penelope, I’m delighted to have you with us today!

Penelope: Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I’m very happy to be here. Your blog is always interesting, insightful, and a joy to read.

Danele: Thank you! That’s so nice of you to say! I appreciate all of the support you have given me, and I can’t wait to learn more about you. Can you tell us where you feel the presence of God the most?

Penelope: I feel the overwhelming presence of God most in nature. I enjoy walking along trails in the woods in the silence of my own thoughts, but most of all I enjoy walking by the ocean. I was fortunate to grow up along the shore and though I live further inland now, the ocean is not far away. Huge, powerful, and mysterious, the ocean is truly awe-inspiring. Just to sit on a rock and stare out at sea gives me a deep sense of peace. The waves rush in and out with a thunderous rumble. There’s a timelessness to it, helping me to understand the concept of how God is, always was, and always will be. I pray everywhere, but when I’m beside the ocean, I am transfixed by the majesty of it and I don’t have to say anything. I am consoled, calmed, and healed.

Danele: That’s so beautiful! Your words have just painted a lovely picture for me! Thank you for sharing your heart! Now, Penelope, here’s another question for you–has God ever revealed Himself to you in a humorous way?

Penelope: I know God watches over us, but I also am very much aware that He has a sense of humor and sometimes His angels in disguise are quite different from what anyone would suspect. I know this because many years ago, when my daughters were young, I was a Brownie Scout leader. One fine afternoon, I drove to the scout headquarters to pick up pins and badges for the girls in my troop. It was quite a distance from home and way out in farm country. I had my three daughters in the car with me. The car was aging, but it hadn’t given me any trouble–until the engine simply stopped dead on the return leg of the journey.

Danele: Oh, no! That’s awful! What happened next?

Penelope: We were in the middle of nowhere, with a wheat field on our side of the road. However, there was a small bar and package goods store not far away on the other side of the road and the car had enough momentum to coast into the parking lot. Fortunately, the bar had a telephone. (This happened long before cellphones and long before we signed up for Triple A.) I called my husband who promised to rescue us, although he had to leave work.

Danele: I’m glad you were able to get a hold of him!

Penelope: Me too. As we waited outside the bar, men came out and laughed at me. “Hey, lady, what did you do, forget to put gas in the car?” Not one of them offered to help in any way. I was fuming!

Danele: I can understand why! That’s awful!

Penelope: My husband finally appeared, but he couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the car. Then a battered car pulled up beside mine. A very short, older woman got out. Her gray hair was straight and covered by a beret, her only nod to fashion. The rest of her outfit was frumpy. She asked about the car, opened the hood, put her hand over the intake of the carburetor, and told me to start the car. After a few sputters, the engine caught.

Danele: That’s marvelous!

Penelope: Maybe she wasn’t an angel, but I sure thought she could qualify as one. All of us have hands to do God’s work but not everyone takes on that responsibility. While all the men didn’t or couldn’t help with the car, that one older woman knew the trick and solved the problem. God sent someone to help, but while she appeared to be an unlikely candidate for the job she was more than capable. God must have had a good laugh. As for me, I was extremely grateful.

Danele: I would’ve been grateful too! I’m so glad that she helped you out! What a fun story! Now, before I let you go, can you give us a list of the books you have written?

Penelope: Of course! Daddy Wanted, Patriot’s Heart, Patriot’s Pride, The Cowboy’s Miracle, and Hoping for Joy. Hoping for Joy was released on December 16, 2016.

Danele: Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! There’s nothing quite as exciting as having a book released! Can you share a little bit about Hoping for Joy with us? And can you also give us a purchasing link?

Penelope: Sure! Hoping for Joy is part of Prism Book Group’s “Love Is” series, based on 1 Corinthians 13. My book is drawn from the part of Scripture that reads, “love always hopes.” The story is set in a small seaside town with an amusement park. The heroine, Hannah, stares at the diamond ring on her finger and believes her hopes for a wedding are gone as her fiancé, Logan, puts off the date. She wonders if he loves her anymore. She considers handing him the ring and moving on. He has no faith in the Lord. Should she stop praying for a fiancé with no faith?

But Logan is troubled. He hopes to save his sister from her addiction while helping his father raise his young niece. With his life in turmoil, his dreams have vanished. One night, his sister holds a knife to Hannah’s throat and robs her. Will Hannah forgive him? What will he do with Joy, his sister’s child? Where can he turn for help?

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11 thoughts on “Penelope Marzec #2–Author Interview”

What an awesome story of deliverance! The others were probably mocking because they had no clue how to help you and it would show if they’d have stopped. People are so superficial but the woman was a unique blessing from God. Thanks for reminding us to never judge a book by its cover. 😉

Nice visit. I love the car story, and as you both know, I’m crazy about angel stories. I always enjoy Penelope’s books and blog. She writes well. I enjoy her FB posts too, especially the pictures of the ocean. She and I feel much the same way about nature.

Dear Gay, I really enjoy Penny’s writing and pictures too! There was a lovely picture of boats that I particularly remember. And her paintings are so pretty too! Her angel story made me smile and think of your “Sarah” books. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks for commenting! 🙂

🙂 Hello, Carlene! That’s terrific! It’s been fun having two of Penny’s novels, “The Cowboy’s Miracle” and “Hoping for Joy,” coming out at the same time! I hope you have a fantastic Christmas! Thank you so much for commenting! 🙂

Yep, just finished the “Cowboy’s Miracle,” Carlene, and I too had the same thought!

Penelope we are sisters of the same Spirit. I too was raised near the ocean. There were no rocks along the Florida shore , so I sit in the sand, but my thoughts were much like yours. The overwhelming power of the might and majesty of our God always brings me peace and a serenity to know He is always there!

I look forward to reading “Hoping for Joy!” Merry Christmas to ,Penelope. and of course, to you precious Danele!

Merry Christmas, DiAne! Thank you for your lovely comment! You and Penny have made me see the ocean today–and for someone who lives in landlocked Colorado, that’s a feat! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks so much for stopping by! ❤ 🙂

Danele,
Thanks so much for arranging this interview and posting it. I truly appreciate it. Thanks also to DiAne, Carlene, Gay, and Renee for reading it and adding such wonderful comments. Merry Christmas to you all and may the year ahead be filled with joy for each of you. 💕🌸💕

Dear Penny, you are such a blessing to me! Thank you for allowing me the honor of interviewing you! It’s been such a pleasure working with you! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a beautiful New Year! ❤